Interview with the Director of the Vatican Pharmacy, Br. Thomas Binish Mulackal

The Parapharmacy Celebrates Its First Year 

Placing the person at the center of care and attention as a true mission —with a welcoming spirit of fraternity— in keeping with the charism of Saint John of God. These are the values that inspire the work of the parapharmacy ahop, which is celebrating its first year of opening in the Braccio di Carlo Magno in St. Peter’s Square. Brother Binish Thomas Mulackal, Director of the Vatican Pharmacy, speaks about it in this interview with www.vaticanstate.va.

One year after the opening, what assessment can be made of this experience?

One year after the opening, the assessment of this experience is undoubtedly very positive.

The idea of opening a Parapharmacy under the Colonnade of St. Peter’s, on the occasion of the Jubilee, arose from a simple yet concrete desire to be close to people: to offer immediate help, advice, an over-the-counter medicine, or a useful product to those—pilgrims or visitors—who find themselves in the Square during moments of great crowds.

From the very beginning, the goal was not only to guarantee an accessible first aide service, but also to bear witness to a spirit of welcome, attention, and care for others. In this first year we have seen many people pass through—different stories and small yet important needs: a sudden ailment, a request for guidance, the need to feel listened to.

Over time, this new reality has grown and become established, increasingly becoming a point of reference for those who pass through St. Peter’s Square. Alongside the dispensing of medicines and advice for addressing minor health issues, attention to personal well-being and care has never been lacking, also through products bearing the Vatican Pharmacy brand.
Looking back on this first year, we can say that it has been a rich, concrete, and profoundly human experience, confirming how important it is to be present with competence and, above all, with a spirit of service.

What were the main challenges in launching the Parapharmacy?

Like all new initiatives, the launch of the Parapharmacy came with new, diverse and stimulating challenges. From the very first days, we found ourselves dealing with a dynamic and constantly changing reality, made up of people, situations, and needs that were always different.vDifferent languages, widely varying habits, and often urgent needs: every encounter required attention, listening, and the ability to adapt. However, precisely within the Vatican Pharmacy’s desire to offer assistance to pilgrims of hope, these difficulties turned into real opportunities.

Thanks to the commitment, professionalism, and availability of our collaborators, what initially seemed complex became an opportunity for growth and mutual enrichment. Every challenge faced turned into a moment of encounter and a concrete testimony of welcome, helping us to find new and ever more attentive ways each day to serve those before us.

How did people respond to the opening of the Parapharmacy?

The new Parapharmacy was welcomed right away with curiosity and enthusiasm—both by those who experience this place daily, such as employees and people who gravitate around St. Peter’s Square, and by those who come here as visitors or pilgrims.

In a short time, the Parapharmacy became known and recognized, becoming a point of reference for many who, for a variety of reasons, found a concrete response to a need or necessity. The ease of access and the wide opening hours have certainly contributed to making the service immediate and close to people, fostering a simple and natural relationship of trust.

Which services or products are most appreciated?

In continuity with the long-standing identity of the Vatican Pharmacy, the Parapharmacy also stands out for its focus on quality and for an open, international outlook. Products dedicated to the Jubilee Year and those bearing the Vatican Pharmacy brand attract great interest, combining effectiveness, attention to the person, and a strong symbolic value. These are products that are not merely purchases, but often become keepsakes—a tangible sign of the experience lived in this place.

In what way does this Parapharmacy stand out from other establishments in the area?

This Parapharmacy has a unique characteristic: it is a true “window on the world.” Its strategic location allows it to meet people from every part of the globe and to offer something truly special. Here one can find products made in Vatican City State alongside international specialties that are often difficult to find elsewhere. This combination makes the experience special and sparks the curiosity of many.

Another distinctive element is the attention to usability and affordability of products, an aspect to which users today are increasingly sensitive. It is not only about attracting those in search of something new or different, but also about responding simply and effectively to concrete and immediate needs.

Which values guide your way of working?

One of the most beautiful aspects of our work is the privilege of always placing the person at the center, in a direct, continuous, and authentic relationship. Every encounter is first and foremost a human encounter.

What we seek to convey each day is rooted in the witness of Saint John of God: welcome, care for one’s neighbor, a spirit of fraternity, and a profession lived as a true mission. These are the values that have always guided our way of working and that give meaning even to the simplest gestures.

What are the goals for the coming year?

The main goal is to continue growing—growing by consolidating what has already been built, strengthening services for those who live this place every day, but also by improving the welcome offered to those who come from far away, from every part of the world, and are intrigued by new products and a different kind of experience.

We want to become increasingly capable of responding to the needs of both, while maintaining a style of service that is attentive, close and human.

Are there any new services or projects planned?

Creating a climate of trust and a sense of belonging is the essential foundation from which to imagine the future. With this spirit, and with constant attention to user satisfaction, upcoming projects will be oriented toward the development of increasingly personalized services.

We would also like to express our sincere thanks to the colleagues who, with courage and great professionalism, faced the initial challenges of this new opening by offering assistance to pilgrims. In dialogue with the Governing Body, we are evaluating new proposals that include a possible expansion of the retail space and improvements to warehouse organization, in order to make the service even more efficient and satisfactory.